Caravan drive to cut bad behaviour

Funded by the Police and the Church-backed Eden Project, it is aimed at providing positive opportunities to young people around the estate. The caravan which can be transported around the area includes a beauty chair with a trained beautician, games station, mixing desk and can even be turned into a cinema.

Police Community Support Officers Samia Arif and Stephen Atkinson have been helping to co-ordinate the events which get under way at 2pm. PCSO Arif said: “As well as the launch of the caravan, there will also be a number of stalls offering information and advice to the local community.’’

The area has suffered problems with drugs and issues of antisocial behaviour, but by providing the right support and advice, we can make significant inroads into tackling this.’’

Gavin Humphries, Team Leader of Eden said the idea was also used in Manchester.

There it brought about a 50 per cent drop in calls reporting anti-social behaviour over a four-month period.